Miscarriage

Every day across the UK hundreds of couples experience unexplained miscarriage. For some families it happens again and again. In many cases doctors and midwives aren't able to tell them why they couldn't have the baby they so desperately hoped for.

Here at Birmingham, we're working to find some of the causes of recurrent early miscarriage and developing new, targeted treatments. We will develop a better understanding of the experience of miscarriage, and help people to manage the psychological impact of these devastating events.

Your support can help translate our research into patient care faster, and your gift could provide the scientists, equipment and technology we need to accelerate this life-changing research.

Professor Arri Coomarasamy

Director, Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research

“I witness first-hand the devastation that couples going through miscarriage feel. We're on the cusp of being able to change their futures. Your support will be catalytic, helping us leap forwards to provide answers faster.”

Why Birmingham?

Opened in April 2016, the Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research is Europe's largest research centre dedicated to preventing miscarriage and improving care. It involves a partnership of three universities: the University of Birmingham, the University of Warwick, and Imperial College London. Birmingham is leading the collaboration due to its track record in pioneering early pregnancy treatment and support. The three sites will work together to run specialist clinics, enabling 24,000 women per year to access treatment and support and participate in Tommy’s research.

Frequently asked questions

Why are you writing to people about miscarriage?We feel passionately about the importance of both raising money for this vital research and about breaking the silence about the taboo of miscarriage. One in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage – but despite it affecting so many couples, not enough is known about why it happens, and how to stop it from happening again.

We are carrying out ground breaking work that can make a real difference – we want to offer treatments and support to couples going through multiple miscarriages.

Our alumni and friends form a community of people with a close connection to the University, who can make a real difference to our work. Funds raised from appeals like this one allow us to work quickly and responsively to breakthroughs. Alumni funding allows us to recruit the best people and to provide them with the best equipment and resources, enabling their work to go further, faster.

Why are you writing about such an emotive subject?Traditionally miscarriage has been a much repressed subject that both academic studies and popular culture have been reluctant to address. Many of the couples we see have often felt isolated and alone throughout their experience. For them, breaking down the silence around miscarriage is one of the most important and helpful things we can do.

The University of Birmingham is at the forefront of miscarriage research – we have world leading researchers in the DNA, immunology, andrology (sperm) and genetic factors associated with understanding miscarriage. We are in a fantastic position to make a very real difference to policy and practice surrounding miscarriage nationally and internationally. Fundraising from our alumni and friends will enable us to do this.

Why is this coming from the University and not Tommy’s?We are working in partnership with Tommy’s, who generously funded the National Centre for Miscarriage Research, bringing together expertise from University of Birmingham, University of Warwick and Imperial College London. Each institution has five key challenges related to miscarriage to research.

We have a group of engaged and committed loyal supporters who are proud to be involved with the research that is happening at the University of Birmingham, and who we know would want to hear about this exciting work.

Will any of my money go to Tommy’s? How about the other Universities?100% of all donations from this appeal will fund research carried out at University of Birmingham. The research is part of the Tommy’s National Centre, so users across the UK will benefit from our findings. The funds raised will hopefully lead to outcomes such as new treatments and tests that benefit couples across the UK and around the world.

Support after miscarriage

If you or someone you love has experienced miscarriage and needs to talk, Tommy's has midwives trained in bereavement support who can help. Call 0800 0147 800 from Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm, email info@tommys.org, or visit www.tommys.org.

If you're concerned about your health, or are struggling to cope after losing a baby, please speak to your GP, who will be able to tell you more about local support available.

How you can help

Couples left devastated after experiencing recurrent miscarriage often don't know why it happens. The subject is rarely discussed, meaning those who experience it are left feeling isolated and bereaved. Your donation will help our researchers find answers for them. For further information about this project and how you can help, email giving@contacts.bham.ac.uk.